MARIETTA — The family of an east Cobb 19-year-old, who had an affinity for art and animals, will lay their loved one to rest today.

Nicholas Woltering, who was born and raised in east Cobb, was killed in a single-car accident just before 1 a.m. Monday along Johnson Ferry Road after he went through the intersection at Shallowford Road and, for reasons unknown to police, ran into a large concrete and wood sign marking the entrance of the Chimney Lakes subdivision.

The teenager’s father, Tim Woltering, said he learned about his son’s death early Monday after receiving a phone call from the teen’s grandparents who still live in east Cobb. He and his wife, Sandy, now live in San Diego, Calif.

“We got the call in the middle of the morning (Monday) and immediately got on a plane and flew back to Atlanta,” Tim Woltering said.

They got into Marietta at about 3 p.m. that same day and immediately came to his parents’ home.

“As far as I know, (Nick) was living near where the accident occurred with some friends,” Tim Woltering said.

Otherwise, family wasn’t sure where the teenager was coming from or headed to when he crashed, and Woltering had not spoken to his son in about three weeks.

“He was special, he had potential that maybe he didn’t realize yet and he was trying to find his way and had had some difficulties,” the father said. “It was just a tragic accident and far too young and far too soon.”

The teenager, who attended Murdock Elementary, Dodgen Middle and Pope High schools, all located in east Cobb, was raised in the area.

Tim Woltering also said his son was very artistic, was interested in a career in graphic design and enjoyed designing video games.

“He’d always been very artistic and talented like that,” Tim Woltering said. “Even when he was a child, we knew that he was gifted.”

When he was in first grade, Nick Woltering won an art award at the county level for a photo that he took and named “I hold in my hand my mom.”

It was a photograph that Nick Woltering had taken of his hand held out with the image of his mother reflected in the background as a small person. It appeared as if the young child was literally holding his mother in his hand.

“He’s just always been artistic like that,” Tim Woltering said.

His son also loved animals.

“We’ve had cats and dogs and lizards and turtles and fish in our house as he was growing up,” Tim Woltering remembered. “I don’t think he ever met an animal or pet he didn’t like.”

Even on family camping trips to Lake Hartwell or while on beach vacations in South Carolina, a young Nick Woltering would collect creatures such as frogs or hermit crabs to bring home.

“He would draw pictures of animals too and a lot of nature scenes,” Tim Woltering said. “He liked the outdoors and he drew what he loved.”

Because of Nick Woltering’s love for animals, the family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Atlanta Humane Society at atlantahumane.org, or by mailing in a donation to the organization’s Memorial Department, 981 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30318.

The teenager is survived by his father, Tim, and mother, Sandy Woltering, and their son and Nick Woltering’s older brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Sid Woltering. He was training in Twentynine Palms, Calif., when he received a call about his brother’s death and flew back to Georgia on Tuesday morning.

The funeral is scheduled for today at 3 p.m. at Transfiguration Catholic Church, 1815 Blackwell Road in Marietta. Tim Woltering said his son grew up attending the church and that it is where he was baptized as a child.

Family and friends are also invited to sign the guest book online for Marietta Funeral Home at collinsfuneralhome.org.

Nick, you and my son were good friends too, you moved things for us two days before this tragedy and at that time I had no idea that would be the last time I saw that smile. Still thinking about you and praying for your family and friends. PS the kids miss you and Buddy still has his sunglasses you gave him for his birthday. RIP

You were a friend of my son from Pope H.S. He took your death pretty hard! I worry each day for my son... we also moved to California, and he chose to stay there in Marietta. My heart and prayers go out to your family...may God comfort and give them peace.

My Heart goes out to the Family. I have a 19 yr old son and ohh! how this deeply hurts me to read about this accident. A son gone to son, May he rest in peace. My prayers of GOD's comfort be with the family on today and after this day has past.

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